Why the Circumstellar Habitable Zone is defined as it is, if life could be possible outside of it?

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According to Circumstellar habitable zone




In astronomy and astrobiology, the circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ), or simply the habitable zone, is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure




But then you have moons in the solar system such as Titan, Europe, Enceladus where some scientists believe life could be possible.



The most likely cradles for life inside our solar system



Life on Titan



Why the CHZ is defined as it is, if life could be possible outside of it? Is it pourly defined or scientists believing there could be life outside the CHZ in the solar system are having too much wishful thinking?










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    $begingroup$


    According to Circumstellar habitable zone




    In astronomy and astrobiology, the circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ), or simply the habitable zone, is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure




    But then you have moons in the solar system such as Titan, Europe, Enceladus where some scientists believe life could be possible.



    The most likely cradles for life inside our solar system



    Life on Titan



    Why the CHZ is defined as it is, if life could be possible outside of it? Is it pourly defined or scientists believing there could be life outside the CHZ in the solar system are having too much wishful thinking?










    share|improve this question









    $endgroup$














      2












      2








      2





      $begingroup$


      According to Circumstellar habitable zone




      In astronomy and astrobiology, the circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ), or simply the habitable zone, is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure




      But then you have moons in the solar system such as Titan, Europe, Enceladus where some scientists believe life could be possible.



      The most likely cradles for life inside our solar system



      Life on Titan



      Why the CHZ is defined as it is, if life could be possible outside of it? Is it pourly defined or scientists believing there could be life outside the CHZ in the solar system are having too much wishful thinking?










      share|improve this question









      $endgroup$




      According to Circumstellar habitable zone




      In astronomy and astrobiology, the circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ), or simply the habitable zone, is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure




      But then you have moons in the solar system such as Titan, Europe, Enceladus where some scientists believe life could be possible.



      The most likely cradles for life inside our solar system



      Life on Titan



      Why the CHZ is defined as it is, if life could be possible outside of it? Is it pourly defined or scientists believing there could be life outside the CHZ in the solar system are having too much wishful thinking?







      solar-system habitable-zone titan europa enceladus






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      asked Feb 14 at 20:07









      PabloPablo

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          From your first link, the definition is:




          "The circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ), or simply the habitable zone, is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure.[1][2][3][4][5] The bounds of the CHZ are based on Earth's position in the Solar System and the amount of radiant energy it receives from the Sun."




          but as you will see further down in that same article:




          "In subsequent decades, the CHZ concept began to be challenged as a primary criterion for life, so the concept is still evolving. Since the discovery of evidence for extraterrestrial liquid water, substantial quantities of it are now thought to occur outside the circumstellar habitable zone. The concept of deep biospheres, like Earth's, that exist independently of stellar energy, are now generally accepted in astrobiology given the large amount of liquid water known to exist within in lithospheres and asthenospheres of the Solar System. Sustained by other energy sources, such as tidal heating or radioactive decay or pressurized by non-atmospheric means, liquid water may be found even on rogue planets, or their moons."




          So really, it's just historical - it is accepted now that it is a limited view, and there is just as likely to be liquid water elsewhere. That doesn't necessarily mean life is as likely, as with lower solar radiation, there may be insufficient energy to support life even with liquid water.






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            1 Answer
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            $begingroup$

            From your first link, the definition is:




            "The circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ), or simply the habitable zone, is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure.[1][2][3][4][5] The bounds of the CHZ are based on Earth's position in the Solar System and the amount of radiant energy it receives from the Sun."




            but as you will see further down in that same article:




            "In subsequent decades, the CHZ concept began to be challenged as a primary criterion for life, so the concept is still evolving. Since the discovery of evidence for extraterrestrial liquid water, substantial quantities of it are now thought to occur outside the circumstellar habitable zone. The concept of deep biospheres, like Earth's, that exist independently of stellar energy, are now generally accepted in astrobiology given the large amount of liquid water known to exist within in lithospheres and asthenospheres of the Solar System. Sustained by other energy sources, such as tidal heating or radioactive decay or pressurized by non-atmospheric means, liquid water may be found even on rogue planets, or their moons."




            So really, it's just historical - it is accepted now that it is a limited view, and there is just as likely to be liquid water elsewhere. That doesn't necessarily mean life is as likely, as with lower solar radiation, there may be insufficient energy to support life even with liquid water.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$

















              8












              $begingroup$

              From your first link, the definition is:




              "The circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ), or simply the habitable zone, is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure.[1][2][3][4][5] The bounds of the CHZ are based on Earth's position in the Solar System and the amount of radiant energy it receives from the Sun."




              but as you will see further down in that same article:




              "In subsequent decades, the CHZ concept began to be challenged as a primary criterion for life, so the concept is still evolving. Since the discovery of evidence for extraterrestrial liquid water, substantial quantities of it are now thought to occur outside the circumstellar habitable zone. The concept of deep biospheres, like Earth's, that exist independently of stellar energy, are now generally accepted in astrobiology given the large amount of liquid water known to exist within in lithospheres and asthenospheres of the Solar System. Sustained by other energy sources, such as tidal heating or radioactive decay or pressurized by non-atmospheric means, liquid water may be found even on rogue planets, or their moons."




              So really, it's just historical - it is accepted now that it is a limited view, and there is just as likely to be liquid water elsewhere. That doesn't necessarily mean life is as likely, as with lower solar radiation, there may be insufficient energy to support life even with liquid water.






              share|improve this answer









              $endgroup$















                8












                8








                8





                $begingroup$

                From your first link, the definition is:




                "The circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ), or simply the habitable zone, is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure.[1][2][3][4][5] The bounds of the CHZ are based on Earth's position in the Solar System and the amount of radiant energy it receives from the Sun."




                but as you will see further down in that same article:




                "In subsequent decades, the CHZ concept began to be challenged as a primary criterion for life, so the concept is still evolving. Since the discovery of evidence for extraterrestrial liquid water, substantial quantities of it are now thought to occur outside the circumstellar habitable zone. The concept of deep biospheres, like Earth's, that exist independently of stellar energy, are now generally accepted in astrobiology given the large amount of liquid water known to exist within in lithospheres and asthenospheres of the Solar System. Sustained by other energy sources, such as tidal heating or radioactive decay or pressurized by non-atmospheric means, liquid water may be found even on rogue planets, or their moons."




                So really, it's just historical - it is accepted now that it is a limited view, and there is just as likely to be liquid water elsewhere. That doesn't necessarily mean life is as likely, as with lower solar radiation, there may be insufficient energy to support life even with liquid water.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$



                From your first link, the definition is:




                "The circumstellar habitable zone (CHZ), or simply the habitable zone, is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water given sufficient atmospheric pressure.[1][2][3][4][5] The bounds of the CHZ are based on Earth's position in the Solar System and the amount of radiant energy it receives from the Sun."




                but as you will see further down in that same article:




                "In subsequent decades, the CHZ concept began to be challenged as a primary criterion for life, so the concept is still evolving. Since the discovery of evidence for extraterrestrial liquid water, substantial quantities of it are now thought to occur outside the circumstellar habitable zone. The concept of deep biospheres, like Earth's, that exist independently of stellar energy, are now generally accepted in astrobiology given the large amount of liquid water known to exist within in lithospheres and asthenospheres of the Solar System. Sustained by other energy sources, such as tidal heating or radioactive decay or pressurized by non-atmospheric means, liquid water may be found even on rogue planets, or their moons."




                So really, it's just historical - it is accepted now that it is a limited view, and there is just as likely to be liquid water elsewhere. That doesn't necessarily mean life is as likely, as with lower solar radiation, there may be insufficient energy to support life even with liquid water.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Feb 14 at 20:27









                Rory AlsopRory Alsop

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                3,6451433



























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